Your tent is arguably one of the most important (and heaviest) pieces of equipment you’ll bring with you on a backpacking trip. It will provide you with a warm(er), dry and cozy place to sleep while keeping you safe from insects. However, as with any new purchase, there is an overwhelming number of tents to choose from. This article is here to help you find the best single person tent for your next adventure.
The best tent for you is ultimately going to depend on what you plan to use it for. For example, if you’re going to be hiking for long distances, you’re going to want something as lightweight as possible. If the weather’s likely to be extreme then the ability to stand up to wind and rain is going to be pretty important. If you’re going to be traveling through variable terrain, then a freestanding could be helpful.
Ultimately, the value that you place on each of these factors is going to be personal. However, for the sake of this article, we’re going to assume that most people looking for a single person tent specifically, are likely to be prioritizing a lightweight design (otherwise why not just go with a bigger 2 person tent and have more room to spread?).
Other factors to consider are:
- Whether you want a single-walled shelter (the most lightweight option but one that sacrifices protection from insects and more extreme weather, and means you’re likely to experience condensation) or a double-walled tent (which will stand up to all weather, insects, and limit condensation but weigh more)
- Whether you use trekking poles when you hike and could save weight using a tent that is pitched with trekking poles, as opposed to a tent that comes with its own poles
- Fly material being Silnylon versus DCF (Silnylon is cheaper but not as waterproof and will sag once wet so needs to be stretched taught a second time. DCF is waterproof, puncture resistant, and doesn’t stretch but is much, MUCH more expensive)
- Whether you’re going to be comfortable spending a day or 2 inside your tent while waiting for a storm to pass (is there space to stretch out or sit up straight?)
- Size of the vestibule area for gear storage
- How easy it is to get in and out (can you roll out elegantly or do you have lumber in and out in a slightly controlled fall?)
- How easy it is to put up and take down (for those times when you arrive after dark in a howling gale)
Price!
Top 10 Single Person Tents
1. Nemo Hornet 1
- 1 lb 11oz trail weight, 1 lb 16 oz packed weight
- Double-wall
- Silnylon
- 3 Seasons
- 87” long, 40” at a max-width and 40” at max height with 21 sq ft floor area
- Semi-freestanding requires 1 trekking pole and comes with 1 aluminum pole
The Nemo Hornet is extremely lightweight for an almost free-standing, double-walled tent. It is a feat of design and engineering that has allowed such a lightweight tent to come with such a spacious interior. The Hornet has a side door and vestibule for extremely easy access and is easy and quick to set up. It has high bathtub sides to provide extra protection against wind and rain which coupled with a fly that almost touches the ground means you’ll be cozy in a draft-free cocoon.
The vestibule could benefit from being a touch wider, but if this is the only con, then this tent is a failsafe option for those looking for a combination of lightweight, free-standing, and interior space. Significantly cheaper than the Plexamid (owing in part to its use of silnylon), this tent is an overall winner.
2. Eureka Spitfire Solo (Best Beginner Single Tent)
- 2 lbs 12 oz trail weight
- Double-wall
- Silnylon
- 3 Seasons
- 40” height, 18.1 sq ft floor area, 4.4 sq ft vestibule
- Not freestanding (comes with an aluminum frame, no trekking poles needed)
The Eureka Spitfire is the heaviest tent on this list, but it’s also the cheapest and packs up small considering the weight. Its aluminum frame with clip attachments makes for fast and easy setup, requiring just 2 stakes for inner setup. The deep bathtub and taped seams maximize waterproofing, while ample mesh provides ventilation. 2 internal pockets make gear easy to organize and the large side entry allows for easy access.
It’s not as spacious as some of the other tents and owing to its cheap price point, it won’t be as durable, however, for those new to hiking or on a budget, the Spitfire is a fantastic choice.
3. Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL 1
- 1 lbs 11oz trail weight, 2 lbs 1 oz packed weight
- Double-wall
- Silnylon
- 3 Seasons
- 86” long, 38” at max height, 38” wide at head tapering to 28” at feet with 20 sq ft area
- Almost freestanding (the footbed needs staking)
On a par with the Hornet with its amazing weight to interior space ratio for a double-walled tent, The Big Agnes Fly Creek feels like a luxury space with its sleek, efficient design (HV stands for high volume as this model has a 25% increase in interior space than its predecessor).
Reflective guylines prevent you from tripping over them at night, ample mesh on the inner makes for excellent ventilation and minimal condensation while the seams come taped making that one less thing for you to do.
The doorway is at the head end and could be wider so access is not as easy as for the Hornet. Similarly, the vestibule area could benefit from being a little larger. However, apart from these minor inconveniences, the Fly Creek is a beautiful tent, ticking all the boxes for a lightweight single person tent.
4. ZPacks Plexamid
- 14.8 oz
- Single wall
- DCF
- 3 Seasons
- 7.5’ long and 38” at its widest point, tapering to 28” at the ends
- Not freestanding requires 1 trekking pole at 48” (10 stakes are required but not included)
The ZPacks Plexamid is without a doubt the leader in the world of lightweight shelters. At less than a pound, this is as light as it gets. Made with top quality DCF fabric, this is a durable, storm proof tent that will keep you sheltered in the most extreme conditions while not weighing down your pack.
The Plexamid is quick and easy to set up, using one trekking pole which partners with the reinforced squared-off roof to create a spacious interior. Its outer storm doors can be left open for a breezy view on a warm night, or closed over to create a spacious vestibule for gear storage. The bathtub floor provides protection against rain splash while the high denier mesh stops even the smallest of insects.
Users will sacrifice some creature comforts for the Plexamid’s lightweight, but experienced thru-hikers will appreciate its minimalist design. It is definitely expensive, but this is justified by the quality of the materials. So, if lightweight and top quality are your priority then the Plexamid is worth its price.
5. MSR Carbon Reflex 1
- 1 lb 7 oz trail weight, 1 lb 13 oz packed weight
- Double-wall
- Silnylon
- 3 Seasons
- 34” height, 17 sq ft floor area, 7 sq ft vestibule area
- Not freestanding but comes with carbon fiber poles
MSR tents are extremely popular and for good reason. The Carbon Reflex 1 is MSR’s lightest full-protection tent. It packs up small and has a good-sized vestibule area for gear storage. Though not freestanding, it comes with poles so is perfect if you’re not a trekking pole user.
Though most carbon fiber poles are typically more prone to breaking than aluminum, these carbon poles, in particular, seem to be sturdier and more durable than most, making the CR capable of standing up to reasonable winds. The fly doesn’t overlap the mesh quite enough to prevent all drafts, but in warmer weather, the ventilation will be a bonus.
6. MSR Hubba NX
- 2 lbs 7oz trail weight, 2lbs 14 oz packed weight, 2 lbs 1 oz “ fast and light” weight
- Double-wall
- Silnylon
- 3 Seasons
- 36” height, 18 sq. ft. floor area. 9 sq ft vestibule area
- Freestanding
Similar to the Carbon Reflex but freestanding, a little heavier, slightly larger, and sturdier in high winds, the MSR Hubba is another very popular tent. Fast and easy to put up, the Hubba’s vertical sidewalls and a symmetrical shape make for a spacious interior while the side entrance and vestibule make for easy access and gear storage.
The sturdy aluminum pole formation will stand up against the wind while rainfly vents will prevent condensation build-up. Furthermore, the tent is versatile allowing for a “fast and light” experience through traveling with only the rain fly and footprint (sold separately).
7. Tarptent Notch 1
- 1 lb 11 oz packed weight
- Double-wall
- Silnylon (DCF available)
- 3 Seasons
- 43” height, 84” length, 20-34” width
- Not freestanding uses 2 trekking poles but tent poles can be purchased separately
Similar to the MSR tents, the Notch can be pitched as a standalone fly making for an even more lightweight option. It uses 2 trekking poles for setup (not included in weight) resulting in 2 peaks which provide plentiful headroom, while 2 vestibules allow for plenty of gear storage.
Great ventilation will prevent condensation build-up, while the tent’s hardy and secure design will stand up to stormy weather. The silnylon seams need to be sealed, but a waterproof DCF version is available if you prefer. If you already use trekking poles, the Notch will be the lightest double-wall option out there making it a fantastic choice. However, this is a cozy tent designed for sleeping and not much more, so it wouldn’t be a comfortable den for waiting out a storm.
8. Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo
- 1 lbs, 10 oz
- Single wall
- 20D Silicone Coated
- 3 Seasons
- 48” height, 90” long, 26 sq ft floor area, 8.5 sq ft vestibule
- Not freestanding, requires 1 trekking pole for set up (not included in weight)
Founded by Ron Moak who has thru-hiked both the AT and the PCT, Six Moon Designs combines all the desired features of a lightweight tent. It has the best weight to floor area ratio of the tents on this list making it a spacious stay.
Easy to set up, the Lunar Solo has a bathtub floor for protection from the weather, a side door for easy access and a hexagon shaped floor allowing for gear storage inside the tent if you don’t want to use the vestibule. It has a good amount of headroom and the vestibule is large enough for cooking in bad weather making this an ideal thru-hiking tent. While it will survive a storm, any single walled tent will never be as weatherproof as a double walled. However, it is extremely affordable for a lightweight tent of this quality making it another fail-safe choice.
9. The North Face Mica FL 1
- 2 lbs 1 oz trail weight, 2 lbs 8 oz packed weight, 1 lb 10 oz “fast pack” weight
- Double wall
- Silnylon
- 3 Seasons
- 85” long, 38” height, 14.6 sq ft floor area, 7.3 sq ft vestibule
- Freestanding inner
The North Face Mica FL 1 is a streamlined 1 person tent designed to be easy to set up after a long day of hiking. Steep walls make for good head and shoulder room, the side entrance allows for easy access while the good sized vestibule allows for plenty of gear storage and cooking in bad weather.
The added bonus of the Mica is that the footprint comes with the tent, making it even more affordable (as footprints are usually sold separately) if traveling with only the footprint and rainfly for a “fast pack” experience is something you want to do. A little smaller than some of the other tents on this list, overall the Mica is the complete package, balancing light weight, versatility, and a comfortable interior.
10. REI Quarter Dome 1
- 2 lbs 7oz trail weight, 2 lbs 14 oz packed weight, 1 lb 13 oz fly and footprint weight
- Double-wall
- Silnylon
- 3 Seasons
- 88” long, 35” wide at head and 27”at feet, 18.9 sq ft floor area, 9.8 sq ft vestibule
- Freestanding
Though not quite as cheap as the Spitfire, the REI Quarter Dome is an extremely good value tent. It is lightweight and strong with vertical sidewalls for a spacious interior. 2 doors allow for easy access and 2 vestibules provide plenty of gear storage (but require 2 stakes each). The color-coded poles help with setup, although the setup isn’t as straightforward as some other tents. The roof vent has internal zippered access and prevents condensation buildup, while ample pockets and loops inside allow for easy organization of personal items.
Like the Spitfire, it won’t be as durable as some of the more expensive tents and so it may not cope as well with rocky terrain or more extreme weather. However, if value is what you’re looking for, this is another great option.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many fantastic 1 person tents on the market to choose from, and many more than this list could contain. Choosing the right tent for you will depend on your priorities, however, this list provides something for everyone, from the top of the line, ultralight Altaplex to the affordable Spitfire, and the all-rounders in between.